It sends a very clear message to junior doctors and the British Medical Association that Jeremy Hunt is not listening to their concerns; that he never intended to listen; and that they should take every step possible to foil his attempt at imposing a punitive new contract on members of the medical profession.

A meeting of Jeremy Hunt, Conservative activists and junior doctors was never likely to feature cordial conversation over drinks and canapés, scheduled as it was during the fiercest NHS pay and conditions dispute in years.

But when an event on Friday at a hotel in Fareham, Hampshire, was said by local Tories to have been called off, what might have been an uncomfortable couple of hours for the health secretary caused yet more anger.

Doctors who had paid £15 for the pleasure of seeing Hunt later found out that the event had quietly been moved to another location, with those in attendance being checked to ensure that they had no medics in tow.

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